8: At least it's more dignified than being tied up!

Chu Ye quietly initiated a System scan.

[Ding! High-quality target group discovered!]

[Target One: Su Wu (Supreme Grand Elder of the Hehuan Sect), Peak Quasi-Emperor, Rating: 96!]

[Target Two: Huanxin (Supreme Second Elder of the Hehuan Sect), Peak Quasi-Emperor, Rating: 96!]

[Target Three: Meiyue (Supreme Third Elder of the Hehuan Sect), Peak Quasi-Emperor, Rating: 96!]

[Target Four: Hua Rong (Sect Master of the Hehuan Sect), Great Perfection Quasi-Saint, Rating: 95!]

[Target Five: Saintess of the Hehuan Sect (Liu Ruyan), Late Stage Spirit Sea, Rating: 95!]

[Warning: host's nutrition might not keep up. It is recommended to plan time reasonably for sustainable development.]

Old Ancestor Chu Shanhe withdrew his Divine Thought's pressure, issuing his ultimatum: "This Emperor disdains to force. I give you time to think it over. If you wish for this Opportunity before midnight tonight, come to the Great Chu Imperial Palace. I will not wait past the deadline, and you will bear the consequences."

The Divine Thought receded like a tide, leaving the Three Old Ancestors looking at each other, their faces alternating between red and white.

Huanxin gritted her silver teeth: "This is going too far! Just because he became a Great Emperor, he can insult us like this?!"

Su Wu's face was ashen, but the lingering fear in her eyes had not dissipated: "Emperors Might... it's real. If he were to use force, we truly... would be powerless to resist."

Meiyue whispered: "The 'Opportunity' he mentioned... could it... really be something? Otherwise, why would a Great Emperor bother so much?"

Huanxin glared at her: "Are you crazy? What kind of Opportunity requires us... to serve a Junior?!"

Su Wu was silent for a long time, then suddenly said: "He said 'bear the consequences' at the end... What do you think those consequences would be?"

The three of them shivered at the thought of the despair-inducing Emperors Might they had just experienced. The 'consequences' from a living Great Emperor were likely more than the Hehuan Sect could bear. But to make them submit just like that... Meanwhile, Old Ancestor Chu Shanhe had already returned to the Imperial Palace with Chu Ye.

Chu Ye was a little uneasy: "Old Ancestor, will they... come? Isn't this method a bit too much...?" It was too much like forcibly abducting innocent women, even if the targets were Old Ancestor-level cultivators.

Chu Shanhe glanced at him, saying indifferently: "It's just a combination of grace and might. They've been stuck at the Quasi-Emperor threshold for many years, their path to the Great Dao almost severed. Now, a path that might lead to the Emperor Realm is laid before them. Even if it seems absurd, if there's even a sliver of possibility, it's worth taking a gamble. Furthermore," the Old Ancestor's lips curved into a subtle smile, "this Emperor gave them a choice, didn't I? At least it's more dignified than directly binding them here."

Chu Ye: "..." Old Ancestor, is your definition of 'dignified' a bit unique?

"Just wait patiently." Chu Shanhe waved his hand, "Remember to be energetic tonight. If they really come, 'receive' them well. The System rewards, I'm sure, won't disappoint you."

Chu Ye watched the Old Ancestor's departing back, then thought about the Three Old Ancestors of the Hehuan Sect, all rated 95+, with peerless beauty, who might 'voluntarily' come to 'serve'... Was this development too fast and too exciting?

He looked up at the sky, suddenly anticipating the arrival of night.

In the Hehuan Sect's Secret Realm, the Three Old Ancestors' debate continued from day to dusk, still without a conclusion. To go, or not to go? This was probably the most difficult and outrageous choice they had faced in a thousand years of cultivation.

Night gradually enveloped the Great Chu Imperial Palace.

It was a dark and windy night, no, a night with bright stars and sparse moon.

Deep within the Great Chu Imperial Palace, in the small garden outside Chu Ye's sleeping quarters, the atmosphere was once quite "harmonious."

The three Supreme Old Ancestors of the Hehuan Sect—the cold and beautiful Su Wu, the enchanting Huanxin, and the pure Meiyue—along with the charming current Sect Master, Hua Rong.

And the Saintess Liu Ruyan, who was subtly protected in the center, with her peerless beauty and captivating gaze, these five stunning female cultivators arrived as promised, forming a picture that would make any man's heart pound uncontrollably.

Old Ancestor Chu Shanhe stood with his hands behind his back, his Emperors Might contained but ever-present.

Chu Tianxing stood to the side, trying to maintain his imperial dignity, but his gaze occasionally drifted towards the five beauties, his inner calculations rattling away: With this quality, these ratings, how generous would the System rewards be?

The Three Old Ancestors were clearly not so easily fooled. Su Wu stepped forward, her voice clear and crisp like colliding jade: "Senior Chu, your Emperors Might is vast, and we hold it in awe. However, empty words hold no weight. We can first allow our Sect's Saintess, Liu Ruyan, to 'spend a night' with your esteemed Seventh Prince."

She deliberately used the ambiguous term 'spend a night,' "If it truly is as Senior says, and can aid cultivation and reveal extraordinary effects, then it won't be too late to discuss further. Otherwise..."

Her Phoenix eyes narrowed slightly. Though she didn't finish, her attitude was clear: even if it might anger a Great Emperor, the Hehuan Sect would not make a losing deal.

Chu Shanhe secretly chuckled, but on his face, he showed a hint of displeasure at being 'questioned.' He feigned contemplation for a moment before 'reluctantly' nodding: "Very well, I shall follow your wishes."

Chu Ye had long been impatient. Hearing this, he immediately stepped forward, trying to make his smile appear sincere and reliable, rather than like a hungry wolf seeing meat: "Junior is here."

"Take Saintess Liu to your palace to 'discuss the Dao' and 'exchange ideas' well."

Chu Shanhe emphasized the words 'discuss the Dao and exchange ideas' with profound meaning.

Liu Ruyan gracefully stepped out, curtsied to her Three Old Ancestors and Sect Master, then bowed slightly to Chu Shanhe and Chu Tianxing, before following Chu Ye towards the sleeping quarters.

Her figure swayed, the aura of her Pure Yin Body and the unique charm of the Hehuan Sect were naturally integrated, each step seemingly treading on one's heart.

Chu Ye led her into the inner chamber, closed the door, then let out a long sigh of relief, turning to face the Saintess, who had a rating of 95 and was hailed as the Hehuan Sect's once-in-a-century prodigy.

Up close, she was even more stunning. Her skin was like snow, her features like a painting, and her eyes seemed to hold spring water yet were clear to the bottom, a perfect blend of purity and charm.

"Saintess..." Chu Ye had just begun to speak.

But Liu Ruyan gently raised her hand, interrupting him, her voice soft and alluring yet with a hint of world-weary detachment: "Your Highness need not say more. Ruyan understands that I am merely a valuable chess piece for the Sect."

"The Hehuan Sect never makes a losing deal. Without a heaven-sent Opportunity, my ultimate fate is nothing more than a gift, a stepping stone, given to some force or powerful individual that needs to be courted."

She looked up, meeting Chu Ye's gaze, her eyes flowing: "Whom I marry, in essence, makes no difference. Your Highness has a noble status, a handsome appearance, and the backing of a Great Emperor."

"If the benefits of Dual Cultivation that Your Highness speaks of are true, then for Ruyan, it would actually be... the best choice."

She paused, a seductive yet captivating smile gracing her lips: "However, I hope Your Highness will not fail to keep your promise today."

Chu Ye's heart warmed, and he said earnestly: "Miss Liu, rest assured! I, Chu Ye, swear to heaven, if you follow me, I will ensure you never lack for food and clothing, have your pick of Cultivation Techniques, and as long as I have a bite to eat, I will never let you suffer!"

"In the future, when our cultivation reaches the heavens and we live long lives, we will achieve it together!"

Liu Ruyan covered her mouth and chuckled softly: "Your Highness is quite direct."

Despite her words, the distant wariness in her eyes had dissipated considerably.

Next, it was time for 'professional Dual Cultivation' with System assistance.

(Two thousand indescribable but highly effective words omitted here.)

As the first ray of morning light dispelled the night, Chu Ye opened his eyes feeling refreshed, and the System's prompt sounded in his mind right on time:

[!! Congratulations to the host for successfully combining with a target with a rating ≥90 (Liu Ruyan)!]

[Reward Issued: host's cultivation has increased to Middle Stage Spirit Sea!]

[Reward Issued: breakthrough pill ×1!]

[Reward Issued: Immortal-grade Dual Cultivation Technique, The Treasure Codex of Yin-Yang Harmony ×1!]

[Hint: Rewards will be greatly increased after successful Fusion with the Saintess!]